Page 36 of Backstage at the Freak Show
Mel stared out one of the windowed doors leading out to the woods behind our home, holding and bouncing a red-faced, wailing Mason.
“Love, are you okay?” I came up behind her and put my hands on her shoulders.
She turned around slowly. “Oh, you’re home.”
“Yes, you didn’t hear me come in?”
“Not over him.”
As she sniffed and seated Mason higher on her hip, I got my first look at my wife in just over three days. Her nose and eyes were red, with dark circles to match. Her normally glossy black hair was unbrushed with several knots, probably where our boy got his sticky fists in it. The shirt she had on was the same one she wore when I left, only now it was covered in an array of food stains.
“Mel!” I pressed the back of my fingers to her cheeks and forehead, projecting my voice over Mason’s wailing. “What’s wrong? You look exhausted.”
“Iam!” A cry escaped her now, one of frustration and utter weariness. “And I don’t know. He just won’t stop crying.”
“Is he changed? Fed?” I ran a hand over my son’s bottom to check his diaper.
“Yes! Also bathed, also played out. He won’t take a nap, I just don’t know.”
“Where is everyone?” A growl rose in my voice. “Why isn’t anybody here to help you?”
“Connor’s at work. Hunter and Raz went off to the woods to shift and hunt with Hunter’s brothers.”
“And your sister?”
“She’s on a field trip with the kids.” Mel’s face crumpled and my heart nearly broke. “I told the guys to go shift, they hadn’t in over a week. And I didn’t want to bother Miriam. I—I thought I could handle it…” She trailed off into quiet sobs, still bouncing Mason on autopilot.
“Here, love. Give him to me.” I took my screaming, red-faced son from her and nestled him against my side. “Now, young man,” I murmured against his dark, feathery soft hair, “what’s got you all tossed about, hmm? Your poor mum needs a nap, you know.”
I started pacing back and forth, holding his squirmy body against my chest. I patted his back a few times, but no burps came up.
“Maybe we should take him to the doctor?” Mel watched us with her nervous, tired expression, wringing her hands in front of her.
“He doesn’t seem sick.” I kissed the side of my son’s head. “Just very upset about something.”
“I’ve doneeverything.” Mel flopped down into an armchair, sinking deep in the cushions. “I just don’t know what he needs and I feel terrible.”
“What he needs is to stop being a brat,” I chuckled, nuzzling into him. “If he were an actual tiger cub I’d swat his little arse with my paw.”
“That’s not funny, Arjun.”
“Yes it is, love. You’re just exhausted.” I turned to look at her. “When did you last sleep? Or shower?”
Mel sighed, bringing a hand to her forehead. “I don’t even remember. I napped a little here and there? Everything’s just kind of run together since you left.”
“You still have a whole bloody household to help you while I’m gone! What happened to them?” I demanded irritably. “This is exactly why you have four husbands, love. So we canallmake this easier for you.”
“Don’t be mad at them,” she sighed. “I told them I wanted to give them a break. He’sonekid! I thought I could handle it.” Her lip wobbled. “I’m just a bad mother.”
“Melody, no.” If I wasn’t holding Mason, I would have yanked her into my chest with a growl, but settled for stroking the back of her neck. “You know that’s not true.”
“Then why can’t I calm him down?”
“Babies are hard in the best of times, love. And you’re exhausted, just take a breath.”
She turned into me, slumping against my shoulder while Mason continued to cry and fuss in my other arm. I hated that both of them were upset. The others would be sure to get an earful from me when they got back. They should have known better than to leave her completely alone.
My purr started low, barely noticeable as I stroked Mel’s hair, kissing her forehead while just trying to keep my boy from tumbling arse over tea kettle out of my grip. Mel sighed and nuzzled into me, the vibrating in my throat growing louder. I knew it comforted her, and in the moment it seemed like nothing else would help. After a few moments, the weight in my opposite arm began to still.
